Multiple printer for motion picture films



July 23, 1935. R. w. FISHBACK El AL 2,008,904

MULTIPLE PRINTER FOR MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed Nov. 16, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet l @34/0 v mg 4T Tor/vex July- 23, 1935 R. w. FISHBACK ET AL 2,008,904

MULTIPLE PRINTER FOR MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed Nov. 16, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 2g Z 5 Z7 y 1935. R. w. FISHBACK ET AL 2,008,904

MULTIPLE PRINTER FOR MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed NOV. 16, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 57 /77 a ZZ gmwfc x w 06% m 7M2 A r w 5 K r 4 7Wmm fl a x .H

. 2 H zm M w EA July 23, 1935. R. w. FISHBACK Er AL' 2,003,904

I MULTIPLE PRINTER FOR MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed Nov. 16, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 Tram/5x Maw. 4934 55 y 93 R. w. FISHBACK ET AL 2,008,904

MULTIPLE PRINTER FOR MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed NOV. 16, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 g4 l I Q .97 AL x Z/ '95 Z /47 4 9 4 it M6 &\\\- //W i j w I 550 .J//. ans

R. w. FISHBACK ET AL I 2,008,904

MULTIPLE PRINTER FOR MOTION PICTURE FILMS July 23, 1935.

Filed Nov. 16, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 8 5 2 F 3 M, 3 I' l I. 6,. 4 WM 5 MW W; a A 3 II fill r W MW .WMI ll. q: NZ; W Z f 3. 7 Z. fl Z7 7 3 522 5 52. 5 K 2 M M5 e ya .3 M5% wMfi X :2 5 3 m. M 3 wa w W k w W W T M w 0A Patented July 1935 PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE PRINTER FOR MOTION PICTURE FILMS Robert W. Fishback Angeles, Calif., assignors, by

and Bruce Burns, Los direct and mesne assignments, to Hughes Industries Co. Ltd., Houston, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Application November 16, 1931, Serial No. 575,300

14 Claims.

Our invention relates to film printing machines and relates particularly to a machine for printing a single film simultaneously from a pair of negatives. Although the invention may be used for printing ordinary single-coated positive film from an ordinary blackand white negative, or for printing two positives from two separate negatives, it has its principal utility in and is especially designed for printing a colored motion picture positive from a pair of complementary-negatives. Positive film for use in colored motion pictures generally has two layers of emulsion for receiving separate complementary color value images. These layers of emulsion may be placed on one side of the transparent celluloid base but in general practiceare on opposite sides of the celluloid base.

It is an object of our invention to provide a printer which will simultaneously print complementary color value images in the separate layers of emulsion on a positive film from complementary color value negatives which are placed on opposite sides. of the positive.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple construction" and combination of cooperating elements for moving positive and negative films intermittently in printing relationship and for controlling their exposure to printing lights, which lights are controlled in accordance with a predetermined schedule.

, A further object of the invention is to provide a printer which may be easily operated,. which does not require frequent adjustment, and which has positive means for stopping the mechanism thereof in such position that the shutters of the light housings are closed, thereby avoiding the possibility of over-exposure of that portion of the film which is stopped in front of the printing apertures.

It is a further'object of the invention to'provide a simple construction having means for guiding the positive and negative films through a printing position, and having light housings on opposite sides of said films in said printing position, each of said housings having a tubular portion with a light gate adapted for prcssural engagement with opposite sides of the assembly of positive and negative films, together with simple means for controlling a simple form oflight shutter within said housing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a printer constructionof the above character a pair of light gates,'one of which is stationary and the other of which is movable, and means for moving said light gates relatively apart so that the films may pass freely therethrough during the operation of an advancing mechanism.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a printer of the above character having a movable light gate which is mounted for universal movement so that it may automatically adjust itself into close fitting position against the films and thereby prevent leakage of light and also hold the films tightly together during their printing exposure.

"It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple printer construction with a simple cam mechanism for operating registering pins and for moving the light gates relatively apart during the movement of the films. r

A further object of the invention is to provide a light housing so constructed that the replacement and inspection of lights therein may be quickly accomplished.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident throughout the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a preferred em.- bodiment of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof with the back wall of the casing removed. I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partly sectioned view of the printing gate or aperture and its associated mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectionon sented by the line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

' Fig. 5 is a partly sectioned view taken as indicated by the line 55 of Fig. 3.

.Fig. 6 is a view taken as indicated by the line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3, showing the printing aperture members in sepaa plane reprerated position during the movement of films therethrough.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section through a light housing taken as indicatedby the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

'Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section on a plane represented by the line 9-9 of Fig. 1, showing the clutch and instantaneous stop mechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross section on a plane represented by the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 1, showing the intermittent motivating means for moving the films through the printing aperture members.

Fig. 11 is a cross section on a plane represented by the line H-il of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary section on a plane represented by the line l2--l2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a cross section on a plane represented by the line |3l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken as indicated by the line l t-E 5 of Fi 1.

Fig. 15 is .an enlarged cross section through the light changer switch of the printer mechanism, this section being taken substantially on the line |5-l5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is a rear view of the light changer switch, viewing the same from the directions indicated by the arrows id of Figs. 1 and 15.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary section on a plane represented by the line |li1 of Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 10, our invention includes a supporting structure 20 consisting of a main casing 2| having a front wall 22, side walls 23, and a removable back 26.

Screwed to the-top of the main casing 2i is abracket having an upwardly extending central arm 26 and laterally extending arms 2'! and 28, these arms each having a pin or shaft 30, such shafts being adapted to receive film spools3i, 32, and 33. For the purpose of holding the film spools on the shafts 38, we provide spring arms 35, 35, and 36 which are made from steel bars and are respectively pivoted at points 37, 33, and 40. In the forward ends of the pins or-shafts 30, notches iii are cut, in which notches the arms 34, 35, and 36 rest when they are in positions to hold the film spools 3!, 32, and 33 in place. Below the main casing 2i and secured thereto by means of bolts 62 is a clutch casing 43 which is bolted onto a standard M by use of bolts 45; Projecting centrally upwardly through the standard dd into the lower part of the clutch casing 53 is a drive shaft 46 which has a clutch cone All mounted on the upper end thereof, as shown in Fig. 9, and which forms a part of the power source of the mechanism, in that the shaft 46, during the use of the printer, is driven at a constant rate of speed by a prime mover preferably consisting of an electric motor, not shown. In a hub 58 formed in a plate 50 which is secured between the casings 2i and 43, is a bearing sleeve 5! which supports an intermediate shaft 52 having a flexible coupling 53 at its upper end by which it is joined to a main shaft 54 supported vertically in the main casing 2| by bearings 55, 56, and 51-, there being a thrust bearing 58 at the upper end of the bearing 57 for the purpose of supporting the weight of the shaft 5d.

Slidable on the lower portion of the intermediate shaft 52 is a clutch member 60 adapted. to engage the clutch cone 41, this clutch member 60 having an upwardly extending hub or sleeve 59 which is splined to the intermediate shaft 52, as shown at M. ..()n a'horizontal shaft 62 which extends across an opening 63 in the clutch casing 53 is a clutch-operating lever 64 which extends horizontally across the interior of the clutch casing '53 and projects through an opening 65 in the clutch casing 43 so that it may be manually engaged and operated. The clutch-operating lever 65 has a ring-shaped central portion fit in'which an annular member 6! is pivotally supported, this annular member 61 having secured thereto the outer race 68 ofa combined radial-thrust bearing in, the inner race ll of the bearing '12 being secured to' the upwardly projecting sleeve 59 of the clutch member 6i]. When clutch part 69 by means of a key 13 and a locking pin 14. Near the periphery of the plate 12 is an opening 15 adapted to be engaged by a pin '16 which projects downwardly through a relatively stationary plate H which is resiliently supported on the lower end of the sleeve Si by means of a resilient annular wall 18 of rubber material. The pin 16 projects downwardly through an opening 80 in the plate ill and has an openingtl therein which receives a spring 32, the upper end of the spring 82 engaging a pocket 83 in the plate 50. The downward movement of the pin 16 is limited by a flange S i'which is adapted to engage a flllerpiece 85 which surrounds the upper portion of the pin 15, and the pin it may be moved upwardly through the opening 80 against the downward pressure of the spring 82. The main drive shaft 5& may be stopped in a definite position by raising the lever 66 so as to disengage the clutch parts 41' and 50 andto bring the plate 12 into engagement with the lower face of the plate ll. When the opening 75 in the plate 12 coincides with the-lower end of the pin 16, the pin 76 drops into the opening :75 and abruptly stops therotation of the plate '32, the shaft 55, and other parts connected therewith. The shock of the abrupt stopping of these parts is cushioned by the resilient member 18 by which the plate ll is secured to the stationary sleeve 5|. A stop pin 88 projecting downwardly from the upper flange of the clutch casing 43 may be employed to limit the upward movement of the clutch-operating lever 65. I

As shown in Fig. 2, projecting through the front wall 22 of the main casing 2i are shafts 90, 9!, 92, and 93, each of which has a worm gear 94 on its inner end, these worm gears 95 being adapted to be driven by worms 95, 96, 97, and 98 mounted on the main shaft 5Q; As shown in Fig. 1, the upper shaft 90 may be supported in a bronze bearing having a flange Hill by which it may be secured to the main casing 2 l.

On the forward end of the shaft 90 an upper film sprocket N32 is secured, thereby forming in conjunction with the shaft 90 an upper sprocket means for continuously pulling-films not, I95,

and we from the film spools 31, 32, and 33. A

the front wall 22 of the main casing 2 i. On the stub shaft Ellis a spacing sleeve 2 and acap nut H3, there being a space between the outer end of the sleeve H2 and the cap nut H3 for receiving the hub i it of the arm 108 which hasa cylindrical wall or hub H6 at its outer end through which a freely running shaft H1 supported by ball bearings H8 is extended. The ball bearings H3 flt into counterbores H9 formed in the ends of the cylindrical wall l 18 and are received on the reduced ends 822 of the shaft H1, being there held by flange members i23 which are secured on the reduced ends i 22' by screws I24 which enter threaded openings I25 in the reduced ends I22 of the shaft II1. Projecting downwardly from the lower end of the arm I08 is an operating lever or handle I21 which may be manually engaged to swing the arm between the full line and dotted line positions thereof shown in Fig. 1. Extending upwardly within the arm I08 is an opening I28, and in the supporting shaft III in alignment with the opening I28 is a hole I30. In the lower wall of the hub H4 is an opening I3I preferably slightly larger than the hole I30. In assembling the hold-down device on the end of the shaft III, the cap nut H3 is removed, and the hub H4 is slid over the end of the shaft into position against the outer end of the spacer II2. A spring I32 is then inserted through the holes I3I and I30 into the opening I28, this being followed by a ball I33, a small disc I34 having a slight depression in the face thereof, and a slotted adjustment screw I35 which screws into the threaded opening I30 and is employed to move the plate I34 upwardly to a position close to the upper end of the opening I30, as shown in Figs. I2 and I3. The ball, being forced downwardly by the spring I32, serves as a detent mechanism for engaging the depression in the upper face of the plate I34 and for holding the arm I08 in such position that the hold-down roller I01 will press the films I04, I05, and I06 against the sprocket I02. The foregoing construction makes it possible to easily assemble the parts in their opera- 1 tive positions. The shaft III may be turned so as to bring the axis of the opening I30 into a desired position and there clamped so as to adjust the cooperative positions or the plate I34 and the ball I33.

The shaft 9i, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, has a cam means mounted thereon, such cam means consisting of rotary cam members I31 and I38. The cam members I31 and I38 are secured to the shaft 9I near the face of the Wall 22 of the main casing 2I, and the shaft 9| extends forwardly from the cam members I31 and I38 and has a guide spool or roller I40 mounted thereon for free rotation by means of small ball bearings I-II as shown in Fig. 1.

The shaft 92, as shown in Fig. 10, extends through the wall 22 and'on the forward end thereof has a gear I43 which engages a gear I44 of an intermittent mechanism, such as a Geneva movement I45. The gear I44 is mounted on a sleeve I46 which turns on a stub shaft I41 secured in a cylindrical body I49 which fits in an openingonto this wall I52 is fitted a cover I53. In a recess I51 of the cover I53 a ball bearing I58 is mounted, and in this ball bearing the inner end of a shaft I69 is supported. Extending outwardlyfrom the casing I53 is a bracket I6I having a bearing I82 which supports the outer end of the shaft I60. Geneva movement star I63 thereon in position to'be engaged by the pin I50 and ring I5I. On the portion of the shaft I60 which extends through the bracket I6I an intermittent sprocket I64 is secured by means of a pin I65. The foregoing Geneva movement mechanism accompl'shes an intermittent part rotation of the sprocket in timed relationship to the rotation of'the cam members I31 and I38.

The shaft 93, as best shown in Fig. 14, is supported by a pair of ball bearings I66 carried in a bearing sleeve I81 secured by screws I68 to the inner face of the front wall 22 of the main cas- The inner end of the shaft has a,

ing 2|. On the outer end I10 of the shaft 93, lower sprocket means are formed by three sprockets I1I, I12, and I13, and on the inner end I14 of the shaft adjacent the worm wheel 94 is a small pinion I15 adapted to engage a gear I16 mounted on the inner end of a shaft I18 having a sprocket I80 secured to its outer end. From the sprocket I80 a chain I8I is carried to a sprocket I82 which is mounted on a shaft I83 which is held by a bracket I84 in a position parallel to the shaft 93. The shaft I83 is adapted to receive three film receiving spools I85 which are frictionally mounted on the shaft I83 so as to be yleldably rotated and to receive the films I04, I05, and I08 from the sprockets I1I, I12, and I13.

As shown in Fig. 17, the shaft I83 is of tubular construction and has pairs of diametrally opposed rectangular openings I83a therein through which friction blocks I832) are caused to outwardly and yieldably project by U-shaped springs I830 having outwardly turned ends I83d which fit into lateral grooves I03e in the inner faces of the blocks I831). Means for limiting the outward movement of the blocks I83b is provided in the form of flanges I83) which project longitudinally from the inner portions of the blocks I831). The film spools I85 are slipped into the positions shown in Fig. 17 over the outer end of theshaft I83 and force the friction blocks I83b inwardly, and these friction blocks thereafter frictionally engage the bores of the spools I85, imparting a yielding driving force from the shaft I83 to the spools I85.

Three hold-down rollers I01a are mounted on levers I08a which are pivoted on a shaft I86 extending from the front wall 22 of the main casing 2I parallel to the sprocket shaft 93. These parts I01a and I08a are of a construction identical to the parts I01 and I08 and are held against the sprockets I1I, I12, and I13 by means of spring pressed balls I33 such as disclosed in Fig. 12. Extending upwardly from each of the members I08a is a short arm I81, and to the ends of the arms I81 levers I88 are pivoted by use of screws I99. In the swinging ends I9I of the levers I88, as shown in Fig. 14, hold-down rollers I92 are carried in positions-to rest against the tops of the sprockets I1I, I12, and I13 so as to hold the films I94, I05, and I08 in engagement with the ing 2I, a top wall I91 secured to the cylindrical wall I96 by screws I98, and a removable bottom wall 200 having a projection 20I at one side thereof provided with an opening 202 in which a sleeve 203 is turnable, this sleeve 203 fitting around a round bar 204 which has threads 205 at its upper end screwing into a lug 206 formed on the cylindrical wall I96, there being a lock nut 201 on the upper end of the bar 204, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In the bar 204 is a groove 298 consisting of a longitudinal portion 209 and a lateral portion 2 I0 at the upper end of the longitudinal portion. In a depression or pocket 2II in the inner wall of the sleeve is a ball 2 I2, half of which ball extends into thegroove 208. By turning the sleeve leftwardly from the position in which it is shown in Fig. l, the ball 2 I I may be brought into alignment with the upper end of the longitudinal portion 209 of the groove 208, permitting the bottom 200 of the light housing I95 to be lowered from engagement with the lower end of the wall I96. On the upper face of the bottom 205 a light socket 2M is secured, and an opening 2I5 is provided in the bottom through which wires may be carried to the light socket 2% for delivering electric current to a light globe 2H5 mounted in the socket 2M. Inothe top wall I91 is a journal 2I-8 which supports a vertical shutter shaft 2 I 9 having a cupshaped shutter 225 secured to its lower end, this shutter 220 having a downwardly extending cylindrical side Wall 22I which encloses the light globe 2| 6. In the wall 22I in the plane of the light tube I9! is an aperture 222 which may have a lense 223 disposed in front of it. As the shutter 22!) rotates, the aperture 222 therein moves across an aperture 224 in an aperture plate 225 set into an opening'226 in the wall- I95 of the light housing andcommunicating with the interior of the light tube I95. The upper end of the shutter shaft 2I9 is supported by a ball bearing 22?, and on the upper end of the shaft 2I9 a worm gear 228 is secured this worm gear being engaged by a worm 239 secured to a horizontal shaft 23I extending across the face of the wall 22. The shaft 23I extends through a gear casing 232 secured to the front wall 22 by means of screws 233 and has a gear 235 thereon in the gear casing 232 which is engaged by gear 235 mounted on the main shaft 54, as shown in Fig. 2. The gears 232 and 235 may be a worm gear and worm or may be a pair of matched helical gears. This same statement may apply to the gears 94, I35, 96, 9?, and 98 as such gears may be either of worm or helical type, or if desired may be replaced by sets of bevel gears.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the light tube I95 has a body 235 secured to its forward end, and to the outer face of the body 235 a removable and replaceable film guiding plate or light gate 237 is secured by means of screws 238, which has an opening 239 therein the size of a film such as shown at 262 in Fig. 6. In the side walls of the light housing 192 are longitudinal channels or grooves 241! in which film registering bars 252 are slidable, these bars 2 32 being held in the grooves 2 by plates 2 33 secured by screws 22%. The rightward ends 255 of the bars 222 bend inwardly, as shown in Fig. 4, and are slidable in longitudinal slots 245 in the block 236 situated at the rightward end of the light tube I95. On the ends 245 of the bars 242 are registering pins 222 which project rightwardly through openings 248 in the light gate 231. The leftward ends of the bars 262 each have a notch 250 formed therein between outwardly projecting lugs 25I, and engaging the notches 25B are "lever arms 252 having circularly enlarged lower ends 253. The arms 252 form part of a lever member 255 which is pivoted on a stub" shaft 255 extending from the front wall 22 and has a rightwardly extending lever arm 255 with' plates 25I and 262, the upper plate 262 having a.

depression in its upper face which is engaged by a downwardly extending point 263 formed at the leftward end of the arm 258, the spring 262 tending to rotate the lever-member 255 in clockwise direction and to hold the follower 252 in engage- .ment with the cam member I38. The cam member I38 rotates in time relationship to the operation of the Geneva movement I45. The cam is so formed that during the periods of non-movement of the films I04, I05, and I06, the registering pins 241 will be rightwardly projected through sprocket holes in these films and will be withdrawn from such sprocket holes during movement of the films by the sprocket I64.

A feature of the invention is to provide in a film handling machine a means for compensating for change in length of film. It is a well known fact that most motion picture films will shrink, and therefore the gauge between sprocket holes is changed. If the film is not so moved by the intermittent sprocket I5 3 that holes in the films will align with the registering pins 281, strains will be, placed in the films, and the sprocket holes will be stretched or deformed. In the use of our machine the film is checked with reference to a gauge, and the actual shrinkage per frame is determined, after which the machine may be quickly set so that the sprocket will move the films into such a position that sprocket holes in the negative or negatives will accurately align with the-registering pins. This is accomplished by use of the following mechanism and in the following manner. Encircling that portion of the cylindrical wall I52 of the body I59 which projects from the front of the'wall 22 is a split ring I55 having an arm I55a extending rightwardly therefrom and having a screw I551) cooperating with the ends I550 of the ring I55 to immovably clamp the ring I55 on the cylindrical wall I52. A registering screw I56 having a calibrated head I56a is threaded upwardly through a boss I56?) which extends rightwardly from a bracket I560 securedby means of screws I 56:1 to the rightward edge of the wall 22, the upper end of the screw I56 being in position to engage an enlargement I55d on the r'ghtward end of the arm I55a.

Through a body I54 which projects from the bracket I580 above the enlargement I55d is a clamping screw I54a adapted to be screwed tightly down against the upper face ofthe enlargement I55d. The screw I56 is first set so that the zero point thereof coincides with a suitably mounted pointer I541). The screw I55b is then loosened so that the body I49 may turn within the ring I55. A brass strip punched accurately with sprocket holes to proper gauge is then extended over the sprocket I64, and the upper portion thereof is allowed to extend across the registering 'pins 251 in projecting position. The entire Geneva movement, the shaft I 5!], and the sprocket I64 are rotated by turning the body I 39 in the ring I55 to such an extent that the proper sprocket holes in the brass master strip will receive the registering pins 241. The ring I55'is then clamped by tightening the screw I'55b, andthe device is set or adjusted to receive film having sprocket holes true to gauge. The negatives which are to be used in the machine, or any other film which is to be used in the machine, are

checked with reference to a gauge and the shrinkage determined. The screw I56 is then rotated until the numeral thereon representing the shrinkage per frame of the film coincides with the pointer I54b, and the clamping screw I55 is then tightened down against the enlargement I55d, moving the arm I55a and rotating the Geneva movement and the sprocket I 6 3 to change the positions of the teeth of the sprocket I64 rela tive to the registering pins to compensate for the change in spacing of the sprocket holes in the films which are to be handled in the machine. The length of the arm I55a, the pitch of the screw I 55, and the calibrations of the screw I55 are so determined that .they directly represent shrinkage per frame in thousandths of an inch, and the actual number of the teeth of the sprocket I 64 relative to the registering pins 241 is a multiple of the values represented by the calibrations of the screw I56. corresponding to the number of film frames between the sprocket I 64 and the registering pins 241.

'As shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, and '1. the stub shaft 265 is secured in the front wall 22 in outwardly projecting position below the horizontal plane of the light tube I94, and pivoted thereon is a movable member or arm 266 having an upwardly extending lever 261 which carries a roller or follower 268 in position to engage the cam member I31. This roller 268, as shown in Figs. 3 and '7, is mounted on a clevis or forked plate 210 situated at the leftward end of an adjustment screw 21I which may be secured in a desired position of adjustment by means of a threaded sleeve 212 and lock nuts 213. On the side of the arm 266 is a vertical tube 214 which receives a vertical shaft 215 having a ring 216 formed at its upper end. vOn the horizontal diameter of the ring 216 pivot screws 211 are mounted, these screws supporting a movable light gate 218 having anaperture 219 therein and openings 28I for receiving the ends of the registering pins-241. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the light gate 218 has a leftwardly orforwardly extending lip 282 around the aperture 219 for engaging the film I06 and forcing the complemented films leftwardly so that the film I05 will be held tightly against the light gate 231. Extending rearwardly or rightwardly from the light gate 218 is an annular wall 284 which is overlapped. by or telescopes into an annular wall 285 formed at the outer or leftward end of a movable light tube 286 which is secured, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by means of screws 281 to a movable light housing 288.

The light housing 288 has a cylindrical Wall I96a, a top wall I91a, and a bottom 200a which is supported on a vertical bar 204a, these parts being similar to the parts of the stationary light housing I95. Projecting rearwardly from the cylindrical wall I96a are lugs 290'and 29I which are horizontally bored to fit horizontal slide bars 292 and 293, thereby providing a sliding support for the movable housing 288 permitting the housing to be moved rightwardly from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 so as to carry the light tube 286 from engagement with the movable light gate 218. On one of the lugs 290 a latch member 294 is pivoted in such position that the point 295 thereof will engage a notch 296 in the bar 292 so as to hold the movable light housing 288 in inward position. The latch member 294 is equipped with a handle 291 which may be pulled outwardly, causing the latch member 294 to disengage the notch 296, and also transmitting to the movable housing 288 a force to move it outwardly on the slide bars 292 and 293. The movable housing 288 is equipped with a shutter and shutter-actuating means of the character disclosed in detail in the stationary housing I95, and slidable on the extending portion 300 'of the shaft 23I is a gear 230a which is a duplicateof the gear 230 for driving the gear mechanism which is situated in the movable housing 288. Although not shown, it is understood that the bottom 200a of the movable light housing 288 has a light socket and light globe supported thereon and that counter parts 203a and 203a of the parts 208 and 203 with-their associated parts are employcd in conjunction with a cover I91a. The shaft 23I may be equipped with a manually operleading to a concave end face 305.

able means of rotating it in the form of a handle 30I. As shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, and '1, a stationary cam 302 is secured to the shaft 265, this cam having a web 303 with a sloping face 304 Within a vertical opening 306 in the member 266, as shown in Fig. 5, is a sliding body 301 which is forced downwardly by means of a spring 308 and has forks 3"] at its lower end carrying a shaft 3| I on which a standard ball bearing 3I2 is supported so as to form a roller adapted to engage the faces 304 and 305 of the stationary cam 302. The pressure of the roller 3I2 against the sloping face 304 forces the member 266 toward the light gate 231 in the light tube I94, thereby carrying the light gate 218 into engagement with the film I06. The cam member I31 engages the follower 268 and forces it outwardly in timed relationship to the intermittent partial rotation of thesprocket I64 by the Geneva movement I45 so as to lift the gate member 218 from engagement with the film I06 during the movement of the films I04, I05, and I06. The gate member 218 is rotatable on a horizontal axis defined by the pivot members 211, and the ring 216 is rotatable on the vertical axis of the shaft 215, thereby supporting the light gate 218 for universal movement which permits it to adjust itself tightly against the film I06 when the cam member I31 permits the member 266 to move leftwardly. In Fig. 3 the parts are shown in printing position with the light gate 218 forcing against the film I06. It will be noted that there is a space between the light gate 218 and the leftward edge of the wall 285. The overlapping of the walls 284 and 285 provides a light seal between the light tube 282 and the light gate 218. In Fig. '7, the cam member I31 is shown in position to force the member 266 rightwardly so as to move the light gate 218 from engagement with the film I06. On the middle portion of the member 266 leftwardly extending bracket arms 3I4 support a hold-down roller 3I5 which is in a plane below the axis of the sprocket I64 which serves to hold the films I04, I05, and I06 in engagement with the sprocket I64.

Spring arms 3I6, shown in Figs. 1 and 5, are secured to the upper portion of the ring 216 and support a horizontal shaft 3I1 on which a holddownroller 3I8 is rotatably mounted, as shown in Fig. 5, by means of small ball bearings 3i 9. The hold-down roller 3I8 cooperates with the guide roller I40 and holds the films I04, I05, and I06 thereagainst. Above the guide roller I40 is a light changer switch 320 which is shown in detail in Figs. 15 and 16. This switch 320 includes a rectangular casing 32I having a front wall 322 and a side wall 323 where the casing 32I is secured to the front wall 22 of the main casing 2I by means such as screws 324 shown in Fig. 16. On the surface of the front wall 322 of the casing 32I are vertical ribs 325 definingv a film channel 326 through which the film I 06 is extended, and supported by means of a vertical pin 321 extending through lugs 328 on the front of the casing 32I there is a door or gate 329 having a latch 330 at its outer end adapted to engage a latch plate 332 projecting from the In vertical grooves 333 on the in-' partly cylindrical member 366 which rotates so as to drop behind a projection3 li of .the latch plate 332 and is provided with a handle 362 whereby it may be rotated so as to disengage from the projection 3M of the latch plate 332. On a pivot member 353 projecting from the back of the wall 322 into the interior of the casing 32I is a switch lever 34 in the form of a bell crank having a long lever arm 335 and a short lever arm 366. In the swinging end 341 of the long lever arm is a body of insulating material 366 which carries a movable contact 350, the upper or front end of which is adapted to engage a stationary contact 35I supported in the upper wall of the casing 32E and insulated therefrom by. insulating means 352, the stationary contact 35I having an-upwardly extending screw 353 on which a nut 35% is employed to secure a conductor 355. In the'bottom wall of the casing 32I is a screw 356 which is insulated by an insulating means 351 and has a nut 358 on its lower end for securing an electrical conductor 360 in contact with the screw 356. A spring 36I is held under the head 362 of the screw 356, this spring being of electro-conductive material and engaging the lower end 363 of the contact member 350, thereby transmitting electric current fromthe screw" 356 to the contact member 350 and also forcing the lever arm 345 upwardly. The short lever arm 346 of the switch lever 344 has a roller 365 pivoted thereon which projects through an opening 366 formed in the front wall 322 of the casing 32I at one edge of the film channel 326. This roller 365 engages an edge 361 of the film I06, and-the lever 344 is held in open position, as shown in Fig. 16, by the engagement of the edge 361 of the film I06 with the roller 365.

Notches in the edge 361 of the film I06, such as.

the notch 360 shown in Fig. 16, permit the roller 365 to move in anti-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 16, permitting the spring 36I to rotate the switch lever 346 upwardly and carry the movable Contact member 350 into engagement with the stationary contact 35I, thereby closing a light changer circuit whenever a notch 368 comes into cooperative position with the roller 365.

The preferred operation of the printer. is substantially as follows: The movable light housing 288 is moved outwardly on the slide bars 292 and 293 to open position, and the parts I01, 329, 266, and I01a are swung into open position. When the member 266 is swung into open position, the roller 3I2 rides up over the sloping face 364 of the stationary cam 302 into the concave end face 305 and thereby holds the movable member 266 in open position. The spool 3!, having a double-coated unexposed film, as represented by the film I04, wound thereon is placed on the bracket arm 26, and complementary color value negativefilms, represented by the films I05 and I06,

are placed on spools 32 and 33 and mounted on the bracket arms 21 and 28. The positive and negative films are carried downwardly to the upper sprocket means represented by the sprocket I02 and are held against the sprocket I02 bythe hold-downmeans I01, the double-coated positive film I 04 being between the negative films cults leading to the light globes within the light housings I and 283. From the guide roller I30 the films are carried downwardly across the light gate 231 and over the intermittently moving sprocket I66, whereupon the member 266 is swung leftwardly from open position so as to bring the hold-down rollers 3H! and 3I5 into co operating position with the guide roller I40 and the sprocket I 65. Below-the sprocket I66 loops 310 are formed in the filrns I04, I65, and I06, and the films are individually carried over the sprockets I1I, I12, and I13 to the separate take-off film spools I 35 frictionally mounted on the shaft I63. The movable light housing 288 isthen moved leftwardly so as to bring the wall 265 of the light tube 286 into cooperation-with the light gate 218, thus placing the printer in condition to start operation by first starting the drive motor, not shown, and then lowering the clutch member 60 into engagement with the clutch cone 31.

Although we have herein shown and described.

our invention in simple and practical form, it is recognized that certain parts or elements thereof are representative of other. parts, elements, or mechanisms which may be employed in substantially thesame manner to accomplish substantially the same results; therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the following claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A printer of the character described, including: means forming a path for an unexposed film; means for holding a pair of printing films on opposite sides of said unexposed film in said path; a stationary light housing on one side .of said path and an outwardly movable light housing on the other side of said path, each of said housings having a light gate for engagement with one of said printing films, one of said light gates being movablymounted to produce automatic adjustment relative to the other of said light gates, said light gates being relatively outwardly movable; means for intermittently advancing said films; resilient means for separating said light gates during the periods of movement of said films and holding said light gates against said printing films during the periods of rest of said films; a light-producing member in each of said housings; and cylindrical shutter means for exposing said films to light from said light-producing members during said periods of rest of said films.

2. -A printer of the character described, including: means forming a path for an unexposed film;' means for holding a pair of printing films on opposite sides of said unexposed film in said path; a light housing on each side of said path, each of said housings having a light gate for engagement with one of said printing films, said light gates being relatively outwardly.movable;

means for intermittently advancing said films: resilient means for separating said light gates during the periods of movement of said films and holding said light gates against said printing films during the periods of rest of said films; a light-producing member in each of said housings; a shaft in each of said housings, said shaft extending through a wall thereof; a rotary shutter member on the inner end of each of said shafts for controlling the projection of light through said light gates to said films; a drive shaft extending from one of said housings to the other having driving means at-the ends thereof engage ing said'shafts of said housings; and drive means for said drive shaft connected to said means for intermittently advancing said films whereby to produce a timed operation of said shutters and said advancing means.

3'. A printer of the character described, including: means forming a path for an unexposed film; means for holding a pair of printing films on opposite sides of said unexposed film in said path; a light housing on each side of said path, each of said housings having a light gate for engagement with one of said printing films, said light gates being relatively outwardly movable; means for intermittently advancing said films; means for separating said light gates during the periods of movement of said films and holdingsaid light gates against said printing films during the periods of rest of said films; aislide member projecting from each of said housings; a bottom member for each of said housings, said bottom members being slidable on said slide members between closed and open positions relative to said housings; a light globe mounted on each of said bottom members andprojecting upwardly within its respective housing; a cup-shaped shutter in each of said housings in a position to project downwardly over said light globes, said shutters having light apertures therein; shafts extending from said shutters through the walls of said housings; a drive shaft extending from one of said housings to the other having driving means at the ends thereof engaging said shutter shafts; and drive means for said drive shaft connected to said means for intermittently advancing said films whereby to produce a timed operation of said shutters and said advancing means.

I -4. A printer ,of the character described, including: a frame structure having supports at the upper end thereof for three film spools; a 'pulling sprocket means for pulling films from said spools; means forming a path for an unexposed film; means for holding a pair of printing films on opposite sides of said unexposed film in said path; means for advancing said films through said path; light-producing means for projecting printing lights through said printing films to said unexposed film; three continuously driven sprockets for receiving said films from said advancing means, said sprockets being mounted on a. single shaft in side-by-side arrangement; a film spool shaft mounted parallel with and adjacent said sprockets for holding three film spools in alignment with said sprockets; and means for rotating said film spool shaft.

5. A printer oi the character described, including: means forming a path for an unexposed film;'means for holding a pair of printing films on opposite sides of said unexposed film in said path; a stationary light housing on one side of said path; an outwardly movable light housing on the other side of said path; means for moving said movable light housing inwardly and outwardly relative to said path; a light tube extending from'each of said housings toward said films in said path; a stationary light gate at the end 01 one of said tubes; a movable member opposite said stationary light gate; resilient means for holding said movable member toward said stationary light gate; a movable light gate adjustably mounted on said movable member in position to bear against said films on a side opposite to said stationary light gate, said movable light gate being telescoped with the end of the other of said light tubes; means for intermittently advancing said films; means for moving said movable member outwardly so'as to separate said light gates during the periods of movement of said films; a light-producing member in each ofsaid housings; and means for exposing said films to light from said light-producing members during said periods of rest of said films.

6. A printer of the character described, including: means forming a path for an unexposed film; means for holding a pair of printing films on opposite sides of said unexposed film in said path; means for advancing said films through said path; light-producing means for projecting printing lights through said printing films to said unexposed film, said light-producing means each including a light source and a movable shutter member; shutter-drive means for moving said shutters in synchronism with said film advancing means; driving mechanism for driving said shutter-drive means and said film advancing means; a power-supplying means; a clutch connecting said power-supplying means with said driving mechanism; and means for stopping said driving mechanism in a prescribed position when said clutch is released.

7. A printer of the character described, including: means forming a path for an unexposed film; means for holding a pair of printing films on opposite sides of said unexposed film in said path; means for advancing said films through said path; light-producing means for projecting printing lights through said printing films to said unexposed fiim, said light-producing means each including a light source and a movable shutter member; shutter-drive means for moving said shutters in synchronism with said film advancing means; driving mechanism for driving said shutter-drive means and said film advancing means; a power-supplying means; a clutch connecting said power-suppplying means with said driving mechanism; and means for stopping said driving mechanism in a prescribed position when said clutch is released, said stopping means having a resiliently supported part coming into engagement with another part of said stopping means wherebyto minimize the shock of suddenly stopping said driving mechanism.

8.A light housing for a printer, comprising: a shell having a top wall, a side wall, and an opening in the bottom thereof, there being a light opening in said side wall; a bottom member for closing said bottom; means for inovably supporting said bottom member so that it may be moved between closed and open positions relative to said shell, said bottom member being swingable about said means when in open position; a light globe holder mounted on said bottom memher in position to support a light globe within said shell: a cup-shaped shutter projecting downwardly within said shell and over said light globe, there being an aperture in said shutter; a shaft extending upwardly from said shutter through the top wall of said shell; a bearing for said shaft; and gears connected to the upper end of said shaft for rotating said shutter.

9. A light housing for a printer, comprising: a shell having a top wall, a side wall, and an opening in the bottomthereof, there being a light opening in said side wall; a bottom member for closing said bottom; a round rod extending downwardly from one side of said shell, there being a longitudinal groove in the surface of said rod and a short lateral groove at the upper end of said longitudinal groove; a sleeve on said rod having a recess containing a ball which also pro- ,iects into said groove of said rod; a bracket formed on said bottom member, said bracket having an 7 opening therein receiving said sleeve; a light globe holder mounted on said bottom member inposition to support a light globe within said shell; 2. cup -shapd shutter projecting downwardly within said shell and over said light globe, there being an aperture in said shutter; a shaft extending upwardly from said shutter through the top wall of said shell; a bearing for said shaft; and gears connected to the upper end of said shaft for rotating said shutter.

10. A printer of the character described, including: a supporting structure; a main shaft extending vertically through said supporting structure; film spool supports in the upper end of said structure; sprocket means at the upper end of said supporting structure for receiving films from said spools,said sprocket means including a shaft supported in said supporting structure and having a geared driving engagement with said main shaft; a cam shaft below said upper sprocket means, said cam shaft being driven from said main shaft; a film advancing mechanism below said cam shaft having a shaft driven from said main shaft; a guide roller above said advancing mechanism; a lower sprocket means on said supporting structure below said film advancing mechanism, said lower sprocket means also including a shaft having driving en'- gagement with said main shaft; a primary light tube above said film advancing mechanism, said light tube consisting of a wall having a stationary light gate formed at the end thereof in position to engage a film extending downwardly from said guide roller to said film advancing mecha-' nism, there being grooves in the side walls of said light tube; film centering bars" mounted in said grooves, said bars having centering pins at the outer ends thereof for engaging sprocket holes in films which extend across said stationary light gate; a lever member pivoted above said primary light tube having a cam-engaging arm and arms extending downwardly into engagement with the rear ends of said film centering bars; cam means on said cam shaft engaging said cam engaging structure and its upper end disposed in proximity to said stationary light gate; a movable light gate mounted near the upper end of said supporting member for universal movement and in a position to cooperate with said stationary light gate, said gate having a peripheral wall extending outwardly therefromfa follower on the upper end of said supporting member engaging said cam'means so that said supporting member and said movable light gate will be 'moved outwardly during the downward movement of films between said light gates; a secondary light tube adjacent the rearward end of said peripheral wall of said movable light gate and having an end wall adapted to rest in overlapping relationship to said peripheral wall; and means cooperating with said light tubes means, said cam shaft being driven from said main shaft; 2. film advancing mechanism below said cam shaft havinga shaft driven from said main shaft; a guide roller above said advancing mechanism; a lower sprocket means on said supporting structure below said film advancing mechanism, said lower sprocket means also including a shaft having driving engagement with said main shaft; a primary light tube above said film advancingmechanism, said light tube consisting of a wall having a stationary light gate formed at the end thereof in position to engage a film extending downwardly from said guide roller to said film advancing mechanism, there being grooves in the side walls of said light-tube; film centering bars mounted in said grooves, said bars having centering pins at the outer ends thereof for engaging sprocket holes in films which extend across said stationary light gate; a lever member pivoted above said primary light tube having a cam-engaging arm and arms extending downwardly into engagement with the rear ends of said film centering bars; cam means on said cam shaft engaging said cam-engaging arm of said lever member; a supporting member having its lower end pivoted to said supporting structure and its upper end disposed in proximity to said stationary light gate; a movable light gate mounted near the upper end of said supporting member for universal movement and in a position to cooperate with said stationary light gate, said gate having a peripheral wall extending outwardly therefrom; a follower on the upper end of said supporting member engaging said cam means so that said supporting member and said movable light gate will be moved outwardly during the downward movement of. films between said light gates; a secondary light tube adjacent the rearward end of said peripheral wall of said movable light gate and having an end wall adapted to rest in over lapping relationship to said peripheral wall; a stationary light housing adjacent the outer end of said primary light tube; slide members extending horizontally from said supporting structure; a movable light housing supported on said slide members, said movable light housing being connected to the outer end of said secondary light tube and being movable back and forth so as to carry said secondary light tube to and from overlapping position relative to. said peripheral wall; and means in said housing for projecting printing lights through said light tubes in timed relationship to the operation of said film advancing mechanism.

12. A printer of the character described including: a housing portion having a three armed bracket thereupon for supporting rolls of film; two lamp houses supported on said frame and relatively movable from each other; a cylindrical shutter in each lamp house, each synchronized with the other; light tunnels attached to said lamp houses; a fixed film gate between said light tunnels; a resiliently movable gate supported between said tunnels; and means for pulling a plurality of film between said gates.

13. A printer of the character described including: a housing portion having a three armed bracket thereupon for supporting rolls of film; two lamp houses supported on said frame and relatively movable from each other; a cylindrical shutter in each lamp house, eachsynchronized with the other; light tunnels attached to said lamp houses; a fixed film gate. between said light tunnels; a resiliently movable gate supported be-- tween said tunnels; said gates being synchro nised with said shutters so that said gates are in closed position when said shutters are in open position; and means for pulling a plurality of iilms between said gates.

14. A printer 0'! the character described including: a housing portion having a three armed bracket thereupon for supporting rolls of film; two lamp houses supported on said frame and relatively movable from each other; a cylindrcal shutter in each lamp house, each synchronized with the other; light means in each lamp house;

light tunnels attached to said lamp houses: a ilxed iilm gate between said light tunnels; a resiliently movable gate supported between said tunnels; said gates being synchronized with said shutters so that said gates are in closed-position when said shutters are in open position, and means for pulling a plurality of films between said gates. ROBERT W. FISHBACK.

BRUCE BURNS. 

